Question How to upgrade Sony MHC-GN88D with external Bluetooth Device

[velkugan]

Hello all,

I own a Sony HiFi Music system (MHC-GN88D). I know with this system, the best result comes out only via CD/DVD playback. However, to do a custom enhancement to this system, I am looking for options like below,

is it possible to

1. Connect and external Bluetooth device to internal circuits of CD/DVD mode to get the same output?
2. Using MD(Video) mode, can we get a 5.1 output?
3. Or any other thoughts?

I know it is easy to busy another upgraded system than customizing this old one. I just want to explore this one.

-Vel

 

[americanaudiophile]

1. If the DVD transport is a separate assembly you might be able to find the output of that assembly. and where it connects to the surround processor. That's where a BT receiver with digital audio output would connect. You can find the service manual here
https://servicemanuals.us/sony/audio/hcd-gn88d-mhc-gn88d.html

1. Using the analog MD input you would not get digital surround sound but could use one of the surround sound modes for 2 channel sources.
2. If you search for BT receiver with digital audio output

https://www.amazon.com/Lossless-Bluetooth-Receiver-Optical-Coaxial/dp/B01G5AMGR8
they say they are 5.1 compatible but I don't know of a BT source that is 5.1. If your idea is to use it for music you might as well use the MD input.
The advantage of using the digital output of the receiver would be that it your system has a better DAC than the one in the receiver you might get better sound quality using that connection which would bypass the DAC and analog output stage of the BT receiver.

 

[velkugan]

1. If the DVD transport is a separate assembly you might be able to find the output of that assembly. and where it connects to the surround processor. That's where a BT receiver with digital audio output would connect. You can find the service manual here
https://servicemanuals.us/sony/audio/hcd-gn88d-mhc-gn88d.html

1. Using the analog MD input you would not get digital surround sound but could use one of the surround sound modes for 2 channel sources.
2. If you search for BT receiver with digital audio output

https://www.amazon.com/Lossless-Bluetooth-Receiver-Optical-Coaxial/dp/B01G5AMGR8
they say they are 5.1 compatible but I don't know of a BT source that is 5.1. If your idea is to use it for music you might as well use the MD input.
The advantage of using the digital output of the receiver would be that it your system has a better DAC than the one in the receiver you might get better sound quality using that connection which would bypass the DAC and analog output stage of the BT receiver.

Thank you @americanaudiophile. The same high-level idea I had in my mind as well. But looking for a more detailed solution to play with the circuits.

I understand Bluetooth may not give 5.1 but using the same method, We can try to connect any Multimedia player which can play videos/songs from Pendrive or HDD, right? I am not limiting my thought only to Bluetooth for now (sorry that i did not mention this before).

Overall looking for an example to get this done. Have you seen this in any other system? or have you done something like this before?